When fire sprinkler cover plates and escutcheons get damaged, replacement requires an exact match to protect residents, guests, and buildings while complying with regulations. Ferguson provides fire protection professionals with a comprehensive product inventory featuring more than a dozen popular manufacturers, so you can order the replacement sprinkler head covers and related parts to match the system you have in place.
If you’re installing a new fire sprinkler system, our fire sprinkler pipe fabrication services are the top choice among fire protection and life safety professionals. Discover details about the fire sprinkler escutcheons, cover plates, guards, shields and other accessories we offer from leading brands, including FPPI®, National Fire Products, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler, and Tyco®.
Fire sprinkler cover plates vs. escutcheons: Sprinkler cover plates are part of a manufacturer’s fire sprinkler assembly and are specific to that make and model. They’re designed to fall away from the sprinkler if the room reaches a specific temperature, allowing the sprinkler to freely activate. Usually shaped like a circle or square, they also provide a smoother and less-intrusive look along with minor sprinkler head protection against dust and light objects.
If you need to replace these plates—also called sprinkler head covers, concealers, and discs—make sure to use the Sprinkler Identification Number, or SIN, when ordering so the concealed fire sprinkler meets regulations and properly activates.
Fire sprinkler escutcheons bridge the gap in the ceiling or wall around the sprinkler head. Their alternate names include trim or trim rings or plates, design extenders or rings, and sleeves, all of which make them sound like an aesthetic choice, but they perform a much more critical function. During an event, fire sprinklers typically activate by temperature. If heat is escaping through those gaps, the system might not activate, despite the presence of smoke and fire.
There are many types of fire sprinkler escutcheons, but the most common include flat, recessed, and adjustable. As with sprinkler cover plates, make sure the escutcheon replacements you order match the sprinkler model and installation type.
Guards and shields: Also called fire sprinkler cages, head guards, and head cages, these devices are usually made of metal wire and protect fire sprinkler heads from harm caused by people or objects. Damaged fire sprinklers might not function properly, so appropriate guards are required for certain types of buildings. Make sure the guards you choose are approved by the manufacturer for the specific fire sprinkler’s make and model—the wrong shields could interfere with activation.
Materials, coatings and finishes: You can’t add paint, finish, or other chemicals to sprinkler cover plates, escutcheons, or other accessories because this can cause them to malfunction. But manufacturers offer a range of options for coatings and finishes. Choose painted products to match the building’s rooms, powder-coated, chrome- or zinc-plated, and more.
Protective paint caps: These help protect fire sprinkler cover plates and escutcheons when ceilings or walls are being painting or during other construction work. Make sure they’re removed afterward—they prevent the fire protection system from functioning.
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